Chapter 87 Have you fallen for Mason?
“Here comes the dramatic part: that woman’s mother ended up committing suicide in the old Galang family estate.”
“Huh?”
Caleb explained, “No one knows the details for sure. I heard bits from old neighbors. Apparently, one day, the maid showed up with the child and caused a scene for two days and nights. Then, she committed suicide in the old Galang family estate.”
Mason’s curiosity peaked. He was about to ask more when the bathroom door swung open and Leila stepped out.
Leila, enveloped in steam, wore a black silk slip that exuded a deadly allure.
Not wanting Leila to hear about the Galang family’s dirty laundry, Mason cut Caleb off mid-sentence.
Ending the call with Caleb, Mason walked towards Leila.
Their eyes met, with a palpable tension in the air.
“Do you want to shower?”
“Do you know what it means when a woman urges a man to shower late at night?”
It meant a special invitation.
As Mason spoke, Leila looked at him without saying a word.
Mason headed into the bathroom, while Leila returned to the bedroom.
As soon as Leila sat on the edge of the bed and before she could even dry her damp hair, her phone vibrated twice on the bedside table.
Glancing sideways, she saw a message on the screen: [No wonder you didn’t agree to collaborate with me; turns out, you have bigger ambitions.]
The number was still encrypted, and suddenly Omar’s image flashed through Leila’s mind.
When Mason returned from the shower, Leila tossed the phone to him.
Taking it, he glanced down, smirked, and raised an eyebrow. “He’s not much of a threat.”
“Is it Omar?”
Mason didn’t answer, extinguishing the phone screen and placing it on the bedside table. He glanced at Leila’s still-damp hair and asked, not addressing her earlier question, “Need my help?”
Without directly answering his question, Leila got up to blow-dry her hair. “No need, I can manage.”
A moment later, the sound of the blow dryer filled the bathroom.
While Leila dried her hair, Mason went to the window and lit a cigarette. Halfway through, he picked up his phone and sent a message: [Wendell, Omar’s been too idle lately.]
Wendell replied instantly: [Got it.]NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
[He’s not in good health, don’t overdo it.]
As Mason sent the message, Leila finished drying her hair.
Listening to the movement, he closed his phone and pocketed it, striding to the doorway. The moment Leila entered, he scooped her up.
Before Leila could protest, Mason carried her straight to the bed and gently pressed down on her.
Mason’s large hand traced Leila’s waist, causing her to instinctively arch her back. “We have to get up early tomorrow.”
“Yeah, so let’s make this quick and not waste time.”
Mason buried his head in her neckline, his voice husky and coaxing. “Leila, how about we go public with our relationship once we’re back in Neo City?”
Leila bit her lip tightly and remained silent.
Undeterred, Mason continued, “Even if it’s just for six months, it’s still a proper relationship, right?”
Mason licked her neck and Leila’s eyes red. “Mason, what’s in it for you if we go public?”
“A good mood.”
“I don’t want to.”
“If we split up in half a year, I don’t want to make a big fuss about it.”
Upon hearing this, Mason bit into her chest, and Leila’s grip on his shoulder tightened, her voice too weak to argue back…
At dawn, Leila knelt on the bed, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. Mason leaned down to kiss her delicate back, still striving for one last push…
The next day, their plane touched down in Neo City. Caleb was there to pick them up, and unexpectedly, Shirley was with him.
Spotting Leila, Shirley rushed forward and embraced her first.
Caleb handed Mason a cigarette, his voice lowered. “Omar spilled the beans to your grandfather about you and Leila. ”
Taking the cigarette and lighting it, Mason replied casually, “How did you find out?”
“Heard it from Wendell. He’s got security planted over at the old mansion. What’s your plan? Your grandfather, he might target Leila next.”
“Would he dare?”
“What wouldn’t he dare? To secure your alliance with the Powers Family, he can do anything…”
Mason’s gaze swept over Leila. “I’m planning to marry Leila.”
Caleb was speechless for a moment. Then he regained his composure and asked, “So things have progressed this quickly between you two?”
“Any objections?”
“I’m just curious. You and her, so fast…” Caleb’s curiosity was piqued.
Expecting Mason to divulge some kind of strategy, Caleb was taken aback when Mason drawled, “She hasn’t agreed yet.”
“… Oh.”
Seeing Caleb’s disdainful expression, Mason turned serious. “Give me half a month, I’ll have a marriage certificate to show you.”
A few minutes later, in the car, Caleb openly discussed some matters concerning The Ramirez Family.
Leila and Shirley sat in the back, pretending not to listen.
After a while, Shirley couldn’t contain her curiosity and texted Leila: [Rich families sure have a lot of drama.]
Leila: [Not our business.]
Shirley: [I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier, but Caleb said you and Mason are together?]
Leila hesitated, knowing she couldn’t hide it. She decided to tell the truth: [For six months.]
Shirley: [???]
Leila: [We agreed to only date for half a year.]
Shirley looked at her in surprise, then lowered her head to text: [You guys… Great…]
Seeing Shirley’s message, Leila frowned.
This matter was hard to explain, and it seemed absurd even now. Back then, how did they… Certain indescribable scenes flooded Leila’s mind, causing her cheeks to flush suddenly.
The car arrived at Mason’s mansion, and the four of them got out.
Mason and Caleb walked ahead, while Leila and Shirley followed behind.
Shirley still didn’t know they were living together. She muttered quietly to Leila, “No wonder so many women are eager to take shortcuts. Marrying a man like Mason can lead to a lifetime of success.”
Leila chuckled and reminded her, “Remember what Caleb said in the car just now.”
Shirley halted in her tracks, recalling what he had mentioned about The Ramirez Family in the car. She shook her head vigorously, “Forget it, I prefer to earn my own keep. Some money, even if you manage to get it, doesn’t mean you’ll have the chance to spend it.”
After dinner, Caleb had business at the company and asked Shirley if she wanted to leave together.
“I’ll go with Leila.”
Caleb glanced down at her, a playful glint in his eyes. “Leila isn’t going anywhere, she’s staying here.”
Upon hearing Caleb’s statement, Shirley swiftly turned to look at Leila, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Leila gripped her glass of water, meeting Shirley’s gaze. She wanted to explain but with Mason and Caleb present, she could only say, “I’ll explain later.”
Shirley nodded reluctantly, “Alright.”
After seeing Caleb and Shirley off, Leila turned to Mason, “Was Caleb doing that on purpose?”
“What?”
“Did you instruct him?”
“What would I instruct him to do? Clearly, the truth always comes out.”
“Childish.”
Leila had barely slept before dawn and although she caught up on sleep during the flight, she still felt tired and headed straight to bed to rest.
Shirley’s text arrived with a string of question marks: [??????]
Leila: [It was urgent and I haven’t had the chance to tell you. Long story short, Mason and I are temporarily living together. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier.]
Leila didn’t want to tell Shirley the matters of The Ramirez Family, firstly, because she didn’t want to drag her into it and secondly, it was Mason’s family affair, and Leila was an outsider.
Shirley was quick to accept and showed no signs of annoyance at not being told sooner. She replied, [Leila, I think you’ve gotten yourself into something.]
Leila: [At most half a year.]
Shirley knew Leila very well. Given her personality, she wouldn’t have done something like this unless she had feelings involved. Shirley asked, [Have you fallen for Mason?]
Reading Shirley’s message, Leila’s breath caught in her throat, avoiding a direct answer: [I didn’t sleep well last night. Let me rest for a bit, and we can talk later.]
Shirley: [Avoiding won’t solve any problems.]
Leila didn’t respond, placing her phone down and burrowing deeper under the covers.
Avoidance indeed wouldn’t solve any problems. But sometimes, when there’s simply no solution to the problem, avoidance might just be the best option.
Leila slept particularly deeply this time.
When she woke up, it was already dusk outside her window.
Leila gazed out at the scenery, lost in thought. The sunset’s lingering glow inexplicably calmed her mood.
However, Leila’s tranquility didn’t last long before the honking of a car outside shattered the atmosphere.
Soon after, cries and accusations filled the downstairs living room.
“How can you do this to Omar, your own brother? How could you be so ruthless?”
“Given his health condition, why can’t you just let him be?”
“Mason, I’m begging you, please spare Omar and Jeff. I promise they won’t challenge you for The Ramirez Group.”